​Dozens of arrests as anti-nuclear protesters demand end to UK’s Trident sub program

Some 34 anti-nuclear activists have been arrested at Faslane naval base in Scotland, according to organizers, as hundreds of protesters blockaded the home of Britain’s nuclear weapons system.

Workers at the naval
facility were sent home after failing to gain access to the site
due to the blockade, according to The Common Space journalist
Liam O’Hare.

Scrap Trident, a coalition of organizations including the
Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND) and Trident
Ploughshares, have been demonstrating outside the facility since
7 a.m.

Protesters are demanding an end to the UK’s intercontinental
ballistic missile program, which is up for renewal by the
Westminster parliament in 2016.

Trident has become a contentious issue ahead of the general
election in May, with Defense Secretary Michael Fallon pledging
last week that a Conservative-led government would replace the
Vanguard-class nuclear submarines with four new nuclear missile
carriers.

Fallon’s election promise followed a statement by Scottish
National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon, in which she said
Trident was a “red line” issue the SNP would not
support.

In the event of a hung Parliament, Labour may seek to form a
minority government in an informal coalition with SNP.

Critics, including Fallon of the Conservative Party, argue that
Labour would abandon the UK’s nuclear weapons program to secure
power.

Shadow Defense Secretary Vernon Coaker rejected the idea,
insisting last week Labour was committed to renewing Britain’s
nuclear weapons program, which is set to cost taxpayers £100
billion over the course of its deployment.

Police Scotland said 34 anti-nuclear activists were arrested in
the blockade.

O’Hare, of The Common Space, reports that police have attempted
to move anti-nuclear activists camped outside the naval
facility’s south gate, while the majority of demonstrators are
protesting outside the north gate.

Arthur West, chair of Scottish CND, said in a statement: “The
purpose of the event is to draw attention to the fact that all
Britain's nuclear weapons are based just 25 miles away from our
biggest city [Glasgow].”

“We say get rid of nuclear weapons and spend the money on
decent things like housing, jobs and education."

Speaking to RT, West added: “Scottish CND are campaigning in
cities and towns across Scotland in the run-up to the general
election.”

“Our main message to voters at the election is to only
support candidates who have given a clear commitment that they
will vote against Trident replacement when the issue comes up in
the next parliament.”

Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, was
among the demonstrators at Faslane on Monday.

Harvie, a member of the Scottish parliament, said in a statement:
“Trident is an obscenity. Through direct action and through
the ballot box we can make the case for the UK to play a new role
on the world stage.”

He added: “By choosing to disarm Trident we can reskill
workers on the Clyde to provide defense of the strategically
important northern seas, and diversify our economy for social
good.”